Means for controlling and tuning radio receiving sets from a distance



July 6 1926.

v. FLOCCO MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AND TUNING RADIO RECEIVING SETS FROM A DISTANCE Filed Nov. 25',

INVENTOR I flaky/7512 Jar/0'0 ATTORNEYS July 6 Q1926. 1,591,417

I -v. FLOCCO MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AND TUNING RADIO RECEIVING SETS FROM A DISTANCE Filed Nov. 25, 1925 5 shqet sheet 2 .ggg

July 6 1926. 1,591,417

r v. FLOCCO MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AND TUNING'RADIO RECEIVING SETS FROM A DISTANCE Filed Nov. 25, 1925 5 shelet s sheet 5 INVENTOR In vewiflbwa BY J July 6 1926. 1,591,417

v. FLOCCO MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AND TUNING RADIO RECEIVING SETS FROM A DISTANCE igled Nov. 25'. 1925 5 Sh et s Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS July a 1926. I, I 1,591,417

' V. FLOCCO MEANS FOR CONTROLLING AND TUNING RADIO RECEIVING SETS FROM A DISTANCE Filed Nov. 25, 1925 5 shqet s sheet 5 08 BATT- INVENTOR fimwrzmo BY 6&4 M ATTORNEYS Patented July 6, 1926.

UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

VINCENT meet; or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

MEANS- roa CO TROLLING AND TUNING RADIO- RECEIVING snrs mom A DISTANCE.

Application filed November 25, 1925. Serial No. 71,417.

This'in'vention relates, generally, to a novel means for controlling and -tun1ng radio receiving sets; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to a novel.

7 to provide an electrically controlled and actuated means for operating at will the rheostat, variable condensers, or similar adjustable parts of a radio receiving set from a' distance, as e. g. from a distant point in the same room in which the set is IOCQIHL'Of from another room or place within listening range. The inventiontherefore provides a novel control for radio receiving sets which 3 is of great general convenience, and which 1s of especial convemence to lnvalids or others sufferinothe confinements of physical disability or illness, since it enables the latter to exercise control and effect desired a'djustmentsof sets not within reach of their place of confinement, i

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood "from the following detailed description of the same.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a face view of a radio receiving set equipped with my novel controlling means; Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, showing controlling means r and intermediate transmission for connecting the same with the elements of a radio receiving set subject to control or adjustment; Figure 3 is a side face view of a portion of the controllingmeans; Figure 4 is an opposite side face v ew of said portion of the controlling means; Figure 5 is a top view ofsaid portion of the controllin means; Flgure 6 ma slde elevation of-said controlling means with'the cover or casing panel removed to show internal parts, and viewed as indicated by line 6-6 in Figure 5; Figure 7 is an end elevation of said controlling means, viewed in the direction of the arrow .7 in Figure 6; and Figure 8 is'a wiring diagram of the electric circuits of said controlling means.

I switch device Figure 9 is a side elevation of the hand serving' said controlling means; Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same; Figure lLIis across section of the same, taken on "ployed in all of the hereinabove described .views, to indicate corresponding parts.

For the purpose of illustrating the principles of construction and operation of my invention, I have shown in the accompany- 7 ing drawings the application thereof to a simple radio receiving set having a front panel provided with a rhedfitaitttfin-button 21, which is connected with ashafti22 for actuatin a rheostat (not shown); and 7 further provided with adjusting or tuning dials 23 and 24 respectively connected with shafts 25 and 26 for actuating the variable condenser devices (not shown), of the receiving set. It will be understood, that by adding or duplicating the necessary parts and circuits, my controlling means may be readily adapted to serve receiving sets having a'greater or less number of adjustable elements, as the case may be.

- v 'My novel selective controlling means comprises a suitable frame-work, including side plates or panels 27 and 28. Suitably supported, in connection with said frame-work is an electric motor 29, to the armature shaft 30 of which is secured a worm 31, which meshes with and drives a worm-gear 32, the shaft 33 of which is journaled in suitable bearing brackets 34 connected with the motor frame. Said shaft 33 projects laterally through said side plate or panel 27,'and is provided on its exterior end with a bevel v gear 35. Journaled in a bearing yoke 36, which pivots on said shaft 33' intermediate the side plate or panel 27 and the bevel gear 1 0 35, is one'end of a drive shaft .37, upon which is fixed a bevel gear 38 which meshes drive shaft 37 is provided with a driver bevel gear 41. Mounted in bearin supports 42, connected with the exterior 0 said. side v plate or panel 27, is a vertically dis 'osed I ine 1111 in jack-shaft 43, provided with'a forward ive The outer end the inner side or back bevel gear 44 with which said driver bevel gear 41 is normally but releasably engaged, and a reverse drive bevel gear 45 with which said driver bevel gear 41 may be selectively engaged when released from said forward drive bevel gear 44.

Journaled in and extending" transversely between said side panels or platesv 27 and 28, in vertically spaced apart relation, are driven shafts 46, 47 and 48, upon which are respectively fixed ear-wheels 49, 50 and 51. of the shaft 46 is connected by means of a universal joint with one end of a transmission shaft 52, the opposite end of which is connected by means of a like universal joint with a drive worm 53 WlllCll is journaled in a bearing 54 connected with the inner side or back of the front panel 20 of the receiving set. Said drive worm 53 meshes with and drives a worm gear 55 frictionally fixed on the rheostat shaft 22. The outer end of theshaft 47 is connected by means of a universal joint with one end of a transmission shaft 56, the o posite end of which is connected by means 0 a like universal joint with a drive worm 57 which is journaled in a bearing 58 connected with of the front panel 20 of the receiving set. Said drive worm 57 meshes with and drives a worm gear 59 frictionally fixed to "the variable condenser tuning dial shaft 25. In like manner, the outer end of the shaft 48 is connected by means of a universal joint with one end of a transmission shaft 60, the opposite end of which'is connected by means of a like universal joint with 'a drive worm 61 which is I meshes with and journaled in a bearing 61 connected with the inner side or back of the front'panel 20 of the receiving set. Said drive worm 61 drives a worm gear 62 frictionally fixed to the variable condenser tuning dial shaft 26. The above described connections are shown in Figure 2.

The umversal oint for couplmg the transmission shafts with the above described driving and drivenelements comprises a tubular sleeve 63 fixed on an end of said transmission shaft so as to provlde an axial receiving socket 64. The wall at the. free end of said sleeve 63 is provided with a 1on gitudinal indented slot 65. Fixed onthe driving or driven member, as the case may be, is a spherical member or head 66 substantially corresponding in diameter to the internal diameter of said socket 64 of the sleeve 63, so as to be receivable therein. Connected with and projecting laterally from one side of said member or .head 66 is a coupling pin 67 which, when the member or head is entered in said socket 64 is itself entered in said slot 65, all whereby rotary motion may be either transmitted to 'said transmission shaft or transmitted thereby as the case may be; all as will be understood the transmission shaft 52,

gear 72 adapted at proper times to' be thrown into mesh with said gear wheel 49 of the shaft 46, but which is normally maintained out of connection or mesh therewith. Connected with said side plate or panel 28 is a fulcrum piece 73, upon which is pivoted a lever 74. The lower end of said lever 74 is interconnected with said slide bearing 71 by a link 7 5,- and its upper end is connected with a pull-string 76 which serves to hold. said lever in normal position to retract said bearing 71 to thereby hold said spur gear 72 normally out of mesh with said gear wheel 49. Mounted upon a bracket member 77, or other suitable support, is an electro-magnet 78, and pivoted to said bracket member 77 in operative relation to said electro-magnet 78 is an armature-plate 79. Interconnecting the free end of said armature-plate 79 with the upper arm of said lever 74 is a link 80. When said electro-magnet 78 is energized it pulls toward it said armature-plate 79, the movement of which is transmitted through said link 80 to the lever 74, whereby the latter is turned on its fulcrum against the tension of the pull spring 76, to transmit, through the link 75, a forward sliding movement to said slide bearing 71, to thereby swing the propeller shaft toward the driven shaft 46, whereby the spur gear 72 of the former is operatively engaged or meshed with the gear wheel 49 of the latter. Upon such operation the power of the motor 29 will be transmitted through the shaft 33, drive shaft 37, jackshaft 43 and propeller shaft 7 O to the driven shaft 46, which in turn will drive, through the above described gearing for turning the 'rheostat shaft 22. j.

Fixed on the vertical jack-shaft 43 is a bevel gear 81 which meshes with and drives a bevel gear 82 on a second propeller shaft 83. extend between the side plates or panels. 27 and 28 in substantially parallel relation to said driven shaft 47. The outer end of said propeller shaft 83 is supported in a laterally slidable bearing 84 connected with said side plate-or panel 28, and is provided with a spur gear 85 adapted at proper times to be thrown into mesh with said gear wheel 50 of the shaft 47, but which is normally main- Said propeller shaft 83 is mounted to I tained out of connection or mesh therewith.

2 wheel 50. Mounted on the aforesaid bracket member 77 is a second electro-magnet' 90, and pivoted to said bracket member in operative relation to said electro-magnet 9,0 is an armature plate 91. Interconnecting the free end of said armature plate 91 with r the upper arm of said lever 87 is a link 92.

hen said electro-magnet 90 is energized it pulls toward it said armature-plate 91, the movement of which is transmitted through said link 92 to the lever 87, whereby the latter is turned on its fulcrum against the tension of the pull spring 89, to transmit, through the link 88, a forward sliding movement to said slide bearing 84, to thereby swing the propeller shaft 83'toward the driven shaft 47, whereby the spur gear 85 of the former is operatively engaged or meshed with the gear wheel 50 of the latter. Upon such operation the power of the motor 29 will be transmitted through the shaft 33, drive shaft 37, jack-shaft 43 and propeller shaft 83 to the driven shaft 47, which in turn will drive, through the transmission shaft 56 the above described gearing for turning the variable condenser shaft 25.

Means of like construction and operation for transmitting power to produce operative relative movement of the gearing for actuating the variable condenser shaft 26 is provided in association with the driven shaft 48 and its gear wheel 51, and transmission shaft said means comprising the bevel gear 93 on the jack-shaft 43 which meshes with a bevel gear 94 on a third propeller shaft 95; the slide-bearing 96 for movably supporting said propeller shaft; the spur gear 97 tomesh with the gear wheel 5170f s'aid driven shaft 48; the lever 98 and link 99 for connecting the lower arm of said lever with said slide-bearing 96; the pullspring 100 for retracting said lever; the electro-niagnet 101 for actuating a pivoted armature plate 102; and the link 103 for operatively interconnecting said armature plate 102 a with the upper arm of said lever 98.

The reference character 104 indicates a vertically disposed v ele'ctro-magnet with which is associated a pivoted armature plate 105. of said armature plate 105 and said vertically movable bearing 39 which carries one end of said drive shaft-37 iscalink 1'06.

Said armature plate 105 is normally held in Interconnected between the free end raised or retracted position by a pull-spring 107. The normally raised or retracted armature plate 105 holds said vertically movable bearing 39 in upwardly moved position, to thereby so dispose the drive, shaft 37 as to normally engage its driver bevel gear 41 with the forward drive bevel gear 44 of the jack-shaft 43. Under these conditions, if any of the driven shafts 46,

47 and 48 are thrown into operation by actuation of the electro-magnetically controlled transmission mechanism above devscribed, the'operative movement transmitted thereto will be in a forward direction, to produce a forward rotation of the respective rheostat and variable condenser shafts 22, a

25 and 26. If it is desired-to reverse the transmitted motion, to turn back or reverse the motion of the rheostat and variable eondenser shafts 22, 25 and 26, the electromagnet 104 is energized, whereby its magnetic attraction swings downward the armature plate 105. The downward swing of said armature plate 105 draws downward the link 106, and therethrough the vertically movable bearing 39, so that the driver shaft 37 is swung downward, thus disengaging its driven bevel gear 41 from the forward drive bevel gear 44 and engaging said driver bevel gear 41 with the reverse drive bevel gear 45 of the 'ack-shaft 43, whereupon the movement of the transmission devices above described, when inoperative relation to the jack-shaft 43, will in turn be reversed.

The means for selectively energizing the several electro-magnets above described,

mission mechanism is mounted is a positive pole binding post 110- and a negative pole binding post 111 respectively connected by circuitwires 112 and 113 to the respective positive and negative poles of the battery 108. Connected with said positive pole binding post 110 is a circuit wire 114 which is suitably connected with the positive pole of each electro-magnet 78, 90, 101 and 104. The negative pole of theelectro-magnet 78 is connected by a conductor 115 to a binding post 116 mounted on said top plate 109. The negative pole of the electro-magnet is connected by a conductor 117 to a similar binding post 118; that of the electromagnet 101 by a conductor 119 to a similar binding post 120; and that of the electromagnet 104by a' conductor 121 to a like binding post 122.

.while at the same time cutting in and outthe circuits servlng the several electro-magnets may be made in any suitable form;

preferably, however, the same comprises a cylindrical tubular casing 123, within which is mounted a contact carrying block 124 preferably made of a suitable insulation material, provided with stationary contacts 125, 126, 127' and 128, and corresponding movable contacts 129, 130, 131 and 132, which are of resilient spring tongue type subject to actuation respectively by push-buttons 129', 130', 131 and 132 which are movably supported in and which project exteriorly through the side walls of said casing 123. Extending from the binding post 116 to the stationary contact 125 is a conductor 133; and in like manner extending respectively from the binding posts 118, 120 and 122 to the respective stationary contacts 126, 127 and 128 are conductors 134, 135 and 136. The movable contacts 129, 130, 131 and 132 are connected in common to a return circuit wire 137 which leads to said negativepole binding post 111, and thence through the wire 113 back to the battery. As will be understood the conductors 133, 134, 135, 136 and 137 may be formed as a multiple wire flexible cable C, which may be of any length desired to permit removal of said manipulative switch device to points distant from the radio receivingset per se. It will also be understood, that the cable thus formed may be arranged for detachment from the radio receiving set per se by providing a multiple coupling plug 1? separable from. a corresponding socket S, in he manner fami-liar to those skilled in electric wiring connections.

Suitable electric connections are also provided whereby, upon closing any electromagnetic circuit, the motor 29 will be automatically cut in, and automatically cut out when the electro-magnetic circuit is broken.

- To this end the feed wire 114 is also connected to one pole of the motor '29, and the opposite pole of the motor 29 is connected by a conductor 138 with insulated station-- .ary contact points 139, 140 and 141 respectively associated with each electro-magnet cured to the ground provided by the bracket member 77 leads to the negative pole binding post 111, and thence through the wire 113 back to the battery 108.

In operation, if it is desired to manipulate the rheostat, the operator presses the button 129 of the manipulative switch, thus closing the electric circuit through the electro-magnet 78, whereupon the current flows from the positive pole of the battery through the wires 112 and 114 to the magnet coils, thence through the. wires 115 and 133 to the contact 125 passing through the button closed contact 129 to the return wires 137 and 113 back to the negative pole of the battery. The electro-magnet 78 being thus energized, the armature plate 79 is attracted thereto, this movement throwing into operation the power transmission means actuated by the motor 29 to in turn actuate the gearing to produce forward movement of the rheostat shaft'22. At the same time the attracted movement of said armature plate 79 carries the contact finger 142-into circuit closing engagement with the stationary con tact point 139, whereupon the circuit t rough the motor 29 is closed from the electrical source through the wires 1 12 and 114, thence through the motor to the wire 138 and engaged contacts 139 and 142, thence through ground to the return wires 145 and j 113 back to the electrical source. If it should be desiredto reverse the movement of the rheostat shaft 22, the operator, while still holding downthe button 129 to close the circuit through the electro-magnet 78 and the circuit through the motor 29, also presses the button 132 of the switch device, whereupon'the electro-magnet 104 is energized, to move the drive shaft 37 into reverse driving relation to the jack-shaft 43 as above explained, by the closing of the circuit from the electrical source through the wires 112 and 114, thence through the magnet coils to the wires 121 and 136 and closed contactsv 128 and 132, and thence through the return wires 137 and 113 back to the electrical source. "When the push button 129' is released the circuit through the electro-magnet 78 will be broken, thus permitting the re-" traction of the armature plate 79 to normal initial position, thereby both disconnecting the propeller shaft 70 from the driven shaft 46, while at the same time separating the contacts 139 and 142 to interrupt the motor circuit and stop the motor.

If it is desired to actuate the variable condenser shaft 25, the operator pushes the button 130 of the control switch device, thus closing the contacts 126 and 130' to close a circuit through the electro-magnet 90 established as follows Current flows from the electrical/source through the wires 112 and 114 to the windings of the electro-magnet 90, and thence through the wires 117 and 134 to and through the closed contacts 126 and. 130 back through the wires 137 and 113 to the electrical source. The electro-magnet 90 being thus energized, the propeller shaft 83 is- -thrown into gear with the driven shaft 47 so that the power of the motor may be transmitted through the already described transmission elements to the variable condenser shaft 25. At the same time, the attracted movement of the armature plate 91 will engage the contact finger 143 with the contact point 140 to close the motor circuit for power production. If it is desired to reverse the driven rotation of said variable condenser shaft 25, the reverse switch button 132 is pressed to energize the magnet 104 for controlling the described reversing gear relation between the driver shaft 37 and jack shaft 43 as already above described.

In like manner the variable condenser shaft 26 may be actuated by pushing the button 131 of the control switch, to energize the electro-magnet 101, the current thereupon flowing from the electrical source through the wires 112 and 114 to the windings of said magnet, and thence through the wires 119- and 135 to and through the closed switch contacts 127 and 131 back through the wires 13? and 113 to the electrical'source; while at the same time, the attracted movement of the armature plate 102 will engage the contact finger 144 with the contact point 141 to close the motor circuit. Reversing of the direction of rotation of said variable condenser shaft 26 may be accomplished in the manner already above described, by pushing the button 132 while still holding in actuated position the button 131'.

It will also be understood that not only are the adjustable elements of the radio receiving set subject to selective actuation through the above described control means, but any one or more orall may be simultaneously actuated in a given direction and either simultaneously or selectively stopped at any desired stage of adjustment by proper manipulation of the control buttons of the hand switch device.

The distance of the operator from the .re-

ceiving set per se is limited only by ability to hear'the results of the adjustments, since the length of the wire cable intermediate the set and the hand switch may be made to correspond to any desired conditions of use.

From the above description it will be apparent that my invention provides a relatively simple, yet easily manipulated adjustment control,.which is efiicient, and which provides the necessary flexibility and selectivity making possible delicate individual adjustment of any desired adjustable element of the receiving set.

I aware that some changesmay be made in the general arrangements and eombinations of the various devices and parts,

as well as in the details of the'construction I combinations of the devices and parts as set forth in the foregoing specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim 1. A remote control means for adjustable elements, comprising an electric motor, driving means actuated by said motor, driven transmission means cooperating with each adjustable element, normally disengaged means for individually coupling each driven transmission means operatively with said driving means, electro-magnetic means for actuating each coupling means, electric circuits serving said electro-magnetic means, and a portable switch device for controlling said circuits.

2. A remote control means foradjustable elements, comprisin an electric motor, driving means actuated y'said' motor, means for reversing said driving means,.driven transmission means cooperating with each adjustable element, normally disengaged means for individually coupling each driven trans mission means operatively with said driving means, electro-magnetic means for actu ating each coupling means, additional .electro-magnetic means for actuating said reversing means, electric circuits serving said several electro-magnetic means, and a port-' able switch device for controlling said cir- 4. A remote control means for'adjustablo ing means actuated bysaid motor, means for elements,-comprising an electric motor, driv-' reversing said driving means,.driven trans mission means cooperating with each adjust.

able element, normally disengaged means for individually coupling said driven transmis-.

sion means 0 eratively with said driving means, electro-magnetic means for actuating each coupling means, a motor circuit, a motor circuit make andbreak means actuated by ,each of said electro-magnetic means, ad-

ditional electro-m'agnetic means for actuating said reversing means, electric circuits serving said several electro-magnetic means, and a portable switch device for controlling said latter circuits.

5. The combination with rotatably adjustable elements provided with power transmission means for-operating the same, power electro-magnetic means for selectively actuating said connecting means, means for re versing said power driven means, electromagnetic means for actuating said reversing means, and a portable switch device in circuit with said several electro-magnetic means for the selective control thereof.

7. The combination with rotatably adjustable elements provided with power transmission means for operating the same, a power driven shaft, a jack-shaft, reversible gearing intermediate said power driven shaft and jack-shaft, a plurality of propeller shafts driven by said jar-.k-shaftand corresponding to said adjustable elements of said receiving set, electrically actuated means for selectively bringing each propeller shaft into driving relation to the corresponding transmission means of each adjustable element of said receiving set, electrically actuated means for bringing said power driven shaft into reverse driving relation to said jackshaft, and a selectively manipulatable portable hand switch device in circuit with said several electrically actuated means.

8. In combination with adjustable elements of a radio receiving set, an oscillatable power driven shaft having a drive gear, a jackshaft having forward and reverse gears selectively engageable by said driven shaft gear, electro-magnetic means for oscillating said drive shaft to selectively engage its I drive gear with said jack-shaft forward and reverse gears, a plurality of driven shafts, transmission means intermediate said driven shafts and said respective adjustable elements of said rec'eiving set, a plurality of propeller shafts corresponding to said driven shafts, drive gearing intermediate said jack-shaft and said propeller shafts, normally disengaged gearing intermediate eachpropeller shaft and its corresponding driven shaft, electro-magnetic means correelectro-magnetic means for the operative control thereof.

rela-' 9. In combination with adjustable ele- I ments of a radio receiving set, an electric motor, a driving shaft actuated by said motor, a jack-shaft, reversible gearing intermediate said driving shaft and said jackshaft, electro-magnetic means for controlling the forward or reverse geared relation of said drivin shaft to said jack-shaft, a plurality of riven shafts respectively corresponding to the respective adjustable elements of saidreceiving set, transmission means intermediate each driven shaft and its corresponding adjustable element, a plurality of propeller shafts actuated by said jack-shaft, electro-ma netic means corresponding to each propel ler shaft operating to move the same into and out of gear driving relation 'to its corresponding driven shaft, a motor circuit, motor circuit make and break means actuated by each .of the latter electro-magnetic means, electric circuits serving all of the aforesaid electro-magnetic means, and a portable switch device having selectively manipulatable make and break means corresponding to each electro-magnetic circuit.

10. In combination with adjustable elements provided with power transmission a means for operating the same, power driven means, normally disengaged means for connecting each transmission means in driven relation to said power driven means, electromagnetic means for selectively actuating 7 said connecting means, electric circuits serving said electro-magnetic means, and a portable switch device having selectively manipulatable make and break means corresponding to each electro-magnetic circuit.

11. In combination with adjustable elements provided with power transmission means for operating the same, power driven means, normally disengaged means for connecting each transmission means in driven relation to said power. driven means, electromagnetic means, for selectively actuating said connecting means, means for reversing said power driven means, electro-magnetic means for actuating saidreversing means, electric circuits serving said several electrm magneticmeans, and a portable switch device haring selectively manipulatable make and break means corresponding to each electro-ma'gnetic circuit.

12 In (combination with adjustable elements, an" electric motor, driving means actuated by said motor,means for reversing,-

said driving ..means, driven transmission; means cooperating witheach adjustable elevidually couplng sai ment, normally disen aged means for indidriven transmission' means operatively with said driving means, electro-magnetic means for actuating each coupling means, a motor circuit, motor circuit make and break means actuated by each of said ele'ctro-magnetic means, additional electro-magnetic means for actuating said reversing means, electric circuits serving said several electro-magnetic means, and a' 10 set forth above I have hereunto set my hand -15 this 17th day of November, 1925.

VINCENT FLOGCO. 

